Tube frame



J. A. JEFFS May 30, 1933.

TUBE FRAME Filed March 24, 1932 Batented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFicE.

JAMES A. JEFES, OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO MOHAWK CARPET MILLS,

INC., OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW 'YORK TUBE FRAME Application led March 24, 1932. Serial No. 600,893.

This invention relates to tube frames of the kind used in connection with looms for weaving pile fabrics of the Axminster type and is concerned more particularly w1th a novel mechanism for controlling the rotation of the spool carried in a tube frame.

In looms used in weaving Axminster fabrics, the yarns used for the pile tufts are Wound on spools carried in tube frames, each tube frame carrying one or more spools which supply the yarns for the tufts 1n arow across the fabric. The tube fr ames are mounted in transporting chains which move the frames through a" closed path with an intermittent motion and in each perlod of rest of the chains, transfer mechanism removes a frame from the chains and lowers it until the separate ends of tuft yarn on the spools in the frames are inserted between the warp threads, whereupon a shot of weft is inserted through the shed and beatenup by the reed or lay. The transfer mechanism then raises the tube frame to cause lengths of yarn required for the tufts to be drawn off the spools, cutting mechanism severs the yarn between the fabric and the spools and the transfer mechanism restores the frame to the chains, the cycle of operations being repeated as the tube frames comes successively into position to be picked up by the transfer mechanism.

Since the movement of the chains is intermittent, the tube frames are subjected to vibration and receive a jerky motion as the chains advance around the loom overhead. This makes it necessary to provlde some means for preventing rotation of the spools as they are being carried along by the chains and means are also required for putting tension on the yarns during the operations of drawin olf the yarns and cutting them to form pile tufts of the proper length. Accordingly, it has been customary heretofore to rovide the tube frames with friction bra es acting on the heads of the spools, but such brakes as commonly constructed are open to numerous objections. If the brake used is adjusted tight enough to insure that the spool will not rotate While it is traveling with the chains, the brake will not permit the proper length of yarn to be drawn from the spool during the tuft forming operation, because the pull necessary to overcome the brake will be too great for the holding power of the shot of weft and the lay to overcome. On the other hand, if the brake is adjusted to insure proper drawing oil' of the yarn, it will not hold the spool tightly enough during the travel of the tube frame with the chains.

I am aware that it has been proposed to overcome these diiiiculties by employing a locking device which functions to lock the spool while it is being transported, the device being rendered inoperatlve at the time the yarn 1s being' removed from the spool to form the tuft and the correct amount of braking action applied. However, the devices of this type with which I am familiar are complicated, and they are costly to install on tube frames now in service.

The present invention is accordingly directed to the provision of a novel mechanism for controlling rotation of the spool or spools in a tube frame, this mechanism operating to apply a heavy drag on the spool while the frame is in the chains and being carried along therewith, and to apply a lighter retarding force on the spools while the yarns are belng drawn therefrom during the insertion of the tufts. The device of the invention accomplishes this purpose effectively and constitutes a distinct improvement over those heretofore devised in that it is cheaper `to manufacture and install and is capable of application to tube frames of the kind now in use at little expense. I

The new mechanism includes one or more strong friction brakes mounted on the frame and actin on the spool throughout the time that the rame is in the chains, these brakes applying a sufficiently heavy drag to the spool to prevent accidental rotation thereof during its movement with the chains. Each of these brakes is rendered inoperative when the tube frame is picked up by the transfer mechanism and for this purpose each brake has a portion which projects beyond the frame in position to be engaged by the clutch. v ofthe transfer mechanism. Preferably the 100 clutch has a cam surface which engages the projecting portion on the brake and moves and holds the brake away from the spool during the time that Athe frame is held by the clutch, and the clutch is further provided with a retarding brake which comes into action as soon as the clutchhas grasped the tube frame and bears against a portion of the spool with a relatively light pressure, thus applying a light drag. Accordingly, in a loom provided with the new mechamsm, the rotation of the spool is controlled by two inde ndently operating devices, one otk by the clutches of the transfer mechanism,

the two devices thus being alternately efective and applying drag in proper amount according to condltlons.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanyin drawing in which Fig. 1 1s a view of a tu e frame in front elevation, certaln parts being illustrated in section, the frame being shown in the transfer mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of a loom, showing the insertion of tuft yarns in the fabric;

Fig.3 is a fragmentary front view showing a portion of the frame with the spool locked;

Fig. 4 is a' sectional view on the line 4--4' of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a transfer clutch, and

Fi 6 is a plan view of the transfer clutc.

As illustrated in the drawing, the tube frame comprises a carrier bar 10 provided with brackets 11 in which the pins 12 of the spools 13 are supported for rotation. In the construction shown, the tube frame carries three spools mounted end to end and locked together by slot and key connections generally designated 14, although it is to be understood that in some cases the frame carries a single spool mounted in the end standards. In either instance, the spool heads 15 at the ends of the frame have peripheral flanges 16 which may be either smooth, or roughened, as by knurling, grooving, etc., the latter t pe of surface providing a better braking e eet.

In order to prevent rotation of the spool or spools during the movement of the frame with the chains 17, the base of the frame is provided with one or a pair of leaf springs 18 secured at one end to the base in any sultable manner as by screws 19, the free ends of the springs carrying pads 20 of friction material w ich are forced into firm ylease it from the chains, the

springs when the tube frame is in the chains. The free end of each spring is bifurcated to form projecting ears 21 w i beyond the end of the tube frame to be engaged by a clutch `22 of the transfer mechamsm. e

In the construction illustrated, there is 4a brake spring at each end of the tube frame, and each side flange 23 of each of the clutches is slotted, as shown at 24, the u per wall of the slot beinginclined and the s ots being so placed that as vthe clutches advance to ch extend out engage the spool, the ears 21 on the springs strike the inclined surfaces and continued movement of the clutches causes the sprlngs to flex downward. This results in the ads 20 being moved away from Athe spool ead flanges,` the spools thus being released.

VWlen the clutches have grasped the tube frame and removed it' from the chains, the arms 25 on which the clutches are mounted are actuated to lower the frame toward the cloth 26, and the yarns issuing from the guide tube 26 on the frame are inserted between the warp threads. As soon as the yarn ends are thus inserted, a shot of weft is passed through the shed and is beaten up by the reed, and thel tube frame is then raised to pull off the proper lengths of the yarns for the tufts and hold the spools in position for the severance of the yarn ends by the knives. During the o rations of inserting the yarns, drawing t ein off and cutting them, the spools should not be entirely free to rotate, butthe drag or retarding action to which they are subjected should be much less than that provided by the spring'brakes.

The desired dra is applied to the spools while they are in t e transfer mechanism by means of a .plunger 27 mounted in a bore through a portion of each clutch. Each plunger has an enlarged head 28 at one end and a collar 29 near the other, and is encircled by a spring 30 which bears against the faceof the clutch and against the under side of the head, normally forcing the lunger to the position shown in Fig. 6. en the clutches advance toward the frame to replungers engage the spopl heads and remain in contact therewith until the frame is returned to the chains and the clutches move away again. Since the springs 30 are light, the plungers merely retard the rotation of the spools and permit the drawing off of the yarns at the proper tension in the tuft forming operation. When the tube frame is returned to the chains, the spring brakes on the frame again become effective while the plungers move out ofcontact with the spool heads as the clutches are moved away from the frame.

It will be observed that in a loom equipped contact with the spool head flanges by the with the new tube frames and clutches rotation of the spools during their travel with the chains is substantially prevented by means of the spring brakes which may be relatively powerful since these brakes are inoperative during the drawing of of the yarn from the spool. Similarly, the retarding effect of the plungers on the clutches may be regulated as desired by using springs of proper strength. The two control devices on the frame and clutches, respectively, are thus under independent regulation, and are alternately effective, the operation which brings the spring brakes into action rendering the spring-pressed plungers ineffective, and vice versa. These devices are of simple construction and may be applied to tube frames and transfer clutches now in service without diliiculty and at low cost and the new spool control mechanism thus affords a cheap and effective expedient for accomplishing the desired purpose.

' What I claim:

In a loom, the combination of tube frames, each carrying at least one spool, transporting chains for said frames, transfer mechanism including a pair of clutches for grasping the. frames successively and moving them into and out of tuft-inserting position, each clutch having spaced flanges between which one end of each frame is received, at least one flange of one of the frames having a cam slot in its edge, a spring brake on each tube frame having a pc rtion received in said slot as the clutches enga e said frame, said portion being cammed y said slot to release said brake, and a spring actuated plunger carried by one of said clutches and having a portion directly enga 'ng a portion of said spool so long as the rame is engaged by said clutch, said plunger applying drag to the spool.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

JAMES A. J EFFS. 

